For neither do we say that certain Christian emperors were therefore happy because they ruled a long time, or, dying a peaceful death, left their sons to succeed them in the empire, or subdued the enemies of the commonwealth, or were able both to guard against and to suppress the attempt of hostile citizens rising against them. These and other gifts or comforts of this sorrowful life even certain worshippers of false gods have merited to receive, who do not belong to the kingdom of God to which these belong; and this is to be traced to the mercy of God, who would not have those who believe in Him desire such things as the highest good.

In the world you shall have distress: but have confidence, I have conquered the world.-St. John 16:33

Amidst the lawless of the Great Interregnum, God’s Providence raised up a lowly Count to receive the Crown of his forefathers and bring about the Restoration of the Heart of Christendom. From this seemingly simple act of devotion to the Holy Eucharist, those who were to be the greatest defenders of Christendom, arose to spread its glory across the world. And it is in this that the Glory of Christendom chiefly consists, that it reflects in this fallen world God’s universal Good, that it is the highest and greatest Common Good that our still-fallen nature can obtain, an imperfect vision of Universal Peace, Justice, Charity, Mercy, Right Reason and Virtue.

Allegory of the Painting: The Common Man has been despoiled of the Authority and Protection of the Holy Crown, and now must bow to the self-serving Mob who stole it.

As I said in my last post (The Death of Civilization Part I), Civilization is a moral choice, a constant struggle. Part of that choice is to accept God-given Authority, for God is the Author of Authority. To preserve any good, we cannot reject the Authority of God’s Vicar, or the Authority of Church to confer Authority, or even the Authority of the State to Govern us, for all of these have their ultimate source in God.

Our Civilization is dying and among the symptoms of its fatality is the rejection of Authority, yet if we hold fast in submission to authority and to the ultimate Authority, Christ our King, our Civilization will not die.